Conveyer.



PATENTED JULY 11, 1905.

J. 1). BUCHANAN.

GONVEYBR..

APPLIUATIOH rum) JULY 29, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1 Inventon Witnesses Httor negs PATENTED JULY 11, 1905i J. D. BUCHANAN.

' GONVEYER.

APPLICATION nun JULY 29, 1004.

s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I Inventor,

Witnesses n Httomegs PATENTED JULY 11, 1905.

J. D.- BUCHANAN.

CONVBYEBH APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witnesses ifater'ited July 11, 1905.

ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN 1). BUCHANAN, OF MEMPHIS, TITENNESSEE.

CONVEYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,352, dated July 11, 1905.

Application filed July 29, 1904:. Serial No. 218,717.

To all whom if; may concern:

- Be it known that 1, JOHN D. BUCHANAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Conveyer, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to conveyer mechanisms, and has for its principal object to provide a device for use in connection with steamshovels and similar excavating mechanisms where it is desired to convey the excavated material to a distant point.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a device that is connected to and maintained in a practically fixed relation with the excavating-machine, so that it will always be in position to receive the dirt or other material and will not render it necessary to readjust the position vof either member with respect tothe other during an ordinary straight cut.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character in which the conveyor may be operated with a minimum of frictional resistance, the excavated material being traveled on an endless conveyor that moves practically independent of its guiding and supporting mechanism, so that sliding friction during this portion of the movement is eliminated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide aeonvey-ing mechanism adapted to receive rock or other heavy material from an excavating-machine, such as a steam-shovel, without danger of injury to the conveying mechanism by the impact of the material dumped thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a conveying mechanism of this character having an independent operating device which may be coupled to a suitable source of poweras, for instance, a steam-boiler or other suitable mechanism carried by the excavating machinery.

With these and other objects in View, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be made without departingfrom the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a conveyer constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the same attached to an excavating-machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the receiving end of the eonveyer. Fig. 3 is a plan view drawn to an enlarged scale, portions being broken away and parts being shown in section in order to more clearly illustrate the construction. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the mechanism on the line L 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5

is a transverse sectional elevation of the con-.

veyer, illustrating the arrangement of the supporting-struts. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the same on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail transverse section showing one of the conveyor-supports. Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional elevations of the same on the lines 8 8 and 9 9, respectively, of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of one of the gudgeons or axle-sections of the eonveyer. Fig. 11 is an elevation showing the means for uniting the meeting ends of the conveyorsupporting cables.

Similar characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is intended to be used in connection with ditching and other machines such, for instance, as those of the steam-shovel class-where it is desired to convey the excavated material to a distant point, and the conveyor is so arranged that it may travel along with the steam-shovel and always preserve the same relation thereto, provision being made for effecting the necessary adjustments when there is any variation in the relative positions of the tracks on which the shovel and the conveyor-frame are supported.

The conveyor runs on a track or tracks 1, and its main frame includes a pair of vertically-disposed parallel struts 2, which may be formed of structural iron, the struts being spaced for a sufficient distance to permit of the introduction of a conveyer between them. At the lower ends of the struts are swiveled brackets 3, carrying grooved rollers 4, which run on the rails, and the arrangement is such that the brackets may be freely turned or the struts turned freely on the brackets, so that the conveyer may be turned around on curved rails, or the frame may be arranged diagonally of a pair of rails and each roller run on a separate rail, this in many cases being. convenient in effecting adjustment of the conveyer. Near the upper portions of the struts are arranged transverse bars 5, carrying blocks 6, in which rest projecting pins or gudgeons 7, that are carried by the approximately horizontal conveyer-frame 8, and said frame is further braced and connected to the struts by diagonal bars 9.

The conveyer-frame comprises generally a pair of parallel side bars 10, which may be formed of any suitable material, and each side bar carries an upper rail 12 and a lower rail 13, these projecting inward within the outer lines of the frame. From the central portion of the frame rise two side standards 14, which may be in the form of channelbars, and these are connected at the top by a transverse bar 15 and,if necessary',by auxiliary diagonal braces 16. The sides of the conveyer are connected to the uprights by tension-bars 17 the number of which depends on the length and weight of the conveyor.

Near the opposite ends of the frame of the conveyer are bearings for the support of transversely-disposed shafts 16 and 17, the bearings for the shaft 17 being formed in slidable blocks 18, mounted in guides in the frame and adjustable by means of screws 20 when it becomes necessary to take up slack. The shafts carry drums 20, and around these drums pass a number of parallel wire cables or link belts 21, cables being preferably employed, and the meeting ends of each cable are connected in any suitable manner, preferably by U-shaped clamps 22, having threaded ends for the reception of nuts, this construction permitting of the ready taking up of slack and the adjustment of all of the cables to the same length.

Extending across the cables and spaced at suitable intervals are transverse bars 23, preferably in the form of channel-bars, and said channel-bars have their horizontal webs bent upward to form grooves 24, into which porthe cable will be gradually drawn up into the ited.

recessed portion of the channel-bar in the manner more clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The recessed portions of the channel-bar receive appropriately-shaped gudgeons or axles 27, which are united to the bars by bolts 28, and on these gudgeons or axles are mounted flanged rollers 29, adapted to travel on the tracks 12 and 13, so that the cables will be properly supported on both the upper and the lower runs.

The cables and bars serve as supports for the conveyer proper, said conveyer being formed of a plurality of riveted overlapping plates 30, preferably of spring-steel, and these flexible plates are connected at intervals with the transverse bars by tension-springs 31 and by short chains 32. On the upper run of the cables and conveyer the conveyer is supported directly by the transverse bars being held thereagainst by the material being carried, and this in itself will generally be suflicient to hold the parts so firmly together that the driving movement imparted to the cables will be transmitted to the conveyer. If not, the springs and chain may be relied upon, especiallyif there is any tendency of the conveyer to stick; but it is not intended that the springs and chains should be acting at all times, the chains being intended principally to support the weight of the lower run of the conveyer. The conveyer-plates not being secured to the cables, the spring-plates will sag downward on the lower run and if not supported at intervals there will beconsiderable strain on the drums, owing to the weight of the conveyer, the latter in many cases being four or five hundred feet in length. To avoid this, the chains are employed, and the weight of the conveyer is thus carried directly by the cross-bars, so that sagging movement is lim- It is found that the length of the conveyer must be but very little greater than the length of the cables, so that the connecting means between the two will not be subjected to severe'strain while the conveyer is passing around the drums.

' At the delivery end of the conveyer is ar ranged a scraper 35 of any suitable construction, preferably in the form of a plate which 'will remove any material having a tendency to cling to the conveyer-plates.

At the sides of the conveyer are arranged guards 36 in-the form of strips of metal or wood supported by a suitable bracket 37, that projects inward from the side members of the conveyer-frame.

The receiving end of the conveyer-frame is extended on each side and is provided With bearings for the support of a number of shafts 38, 39, 16, and 41, the shafts 38 carrying a suitable motor 43, preferably. in the form of a small rotary engine, and the shafts 38, 39, and 16 being connected together by gearing 44 of any desired character, was to permit movement from the motor to the conveyer.

The side braces of the receiving end of the conveyer-frame are extended upward and carry the shafts 41 and 46, and on said shafts are arranged sprocket-wheels 47, over which pass link-belts 48, that are connected at suitable intervals by transverselydisposed metallic bars 49. The bars 49 extend through the links of a plurality of parallel chain belts 51, the whole forming an apron of sufficient flexibility to make the necessary turns and of great strength. This apron receives the load from the steam-shovel or other excavatingmachine, and owing to its construction may receive boulders, rocks, and other heavy loads of excavated material without injury. The two shafts 16 and 41 are provided with sprocket-wheels 47', over which extends a link belt 48 in order to drive the receivingapron, and the material carried by said receiving-apron is directed by an inclined plate 50 to the main conveyer.

The steam-shovel A carries a rigid bracket 52, to which is pivoted a link 53, free to move vertically, and the outer end of said link is pivoted to a pin or lug 54, projecting from the end of the conveyer-frame, the construction being such as to permit of aconsiderable range of independent movement of both the steam-shovel and the conveyer. The boiler of the shovel is connected to the rotary engine by a flexible tube 55, through which the necessary steam is delivered to the motor.

in operating the device the material to be conveyed away is first dumped on the receiving-apron, and the latter carries the same to a point above the receiving end of the conveyer on which the material is deposited and finally carried to the opposite end, where it is dumped at a convenient point. The mounting of the conveyer-frame is such as to permit its ready adjustment, as required by the change in position of the shovel or other excavating-machine, and, as before described, the swiveled roller-carrying brackets will permit of the adjustment of the angular position of the conveyer frame with respect to the rail or rails on which said frame is supported.

The exhaust from the rotary engine impinges on the metallic sheets which forms the conveyer, and by heating the same prevents the excavated material from freezing thereto during cold weather.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. An endless conveyer, and an operating means having a yieldable connection therewith.

2. An endless conveyer, an endless operating means of a length less than that of the conveyer, and a yieldable connection between the two.

3. An endless conveyer, an endless operating means therefor of a length shorter than that of the conveyer, and means for limiting the spacing of the two on the lower run of both members.

4. An endless conveyer, an endless operating means of a length shorter than that of the conveyer, and connecting means arranged at intervals between the operating means and the conveyer thereby to limit sagging of the latter.

5. An endless conveyer, an endless operating means therefor, springs connecting the conveyer to the operating means, and flexible connections serving to limit sagging of the lower run of. the conveyer.

6. An endless conveyer, an endless operating means, and springs forming a yieldable connection between the two.

7. An endless conveyer formed of aplurality of overlapping spring-plates, and endless operating means comprising a plurality of spaced cables and transverse bars connected to the cables, and means for connecting the endless conveyers to the bars.

8. An endless conveyer formed of a plurality of connected plates of spring metal, an endless operating means comprising a plurality of spaced cables and transverse bars connected thereto, springs connecting the bars to the conveyer, and chains connecting the conveyer and bars and serving to limit sagging movement of the lower run of the con veyer.

9. In combination, aframe, drums adjacent to the ends of the frame, endless cables passing over the drums,vtransverse bars united to the cablesat intervals, an endless conveyer formed of plates of spring metal and means for connecting the conveyer to the bars.

10. The combination With acon veyer-frame, of drums disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the frame, a plurality of cables passing over the drums, transverse bars having recessed faces,connecting means between the cables and bars and serving to draw the cables within the recesses, an endless conveyer, and means for connecting the conveyer to the bars.

11. The combination with aeonveyer-frame having a pair of approximately parallel tracks, of drums, endless cables passing over the drums, transverse bars connected to the cables, rollers or wheels carried by the bars and running on the trackways, and an endless conveyer supported by the bars.

12. The combination with aconveyer-frame having a pair of approximately parallel trackways, of drums supported by the frame, a plurality of cables passing over the drums, transverse bars connected at intervals to the cables, rollers or wheels mounted on the bars and supported by the trackways, an endless conveyer of a length greater than that of the cables, and means for connecting the cables to the bars.

13. The combination with a conveyer-frame having spaced approximately parallel trackways, of a pair of drums, endless cables passing over the drums, a plurality of transverse bars connected at intervals to the cables,

IIS

&

flanged wheels carried by the bars and. running on the traekways, and an endless conveyer of" a length greater than that of the cables, said conveyer being connected at intervals to the bars.

14:. The combination with a conveyer-frame, including a pair of superposed and approximately parallel trackways, of drums arranged near the ends of the frame, endless cables passing over the drums, transverse bars arranged at intervals in the length of the cables, means for connecting said bars to the cables, flanged wheels or rollers carried by the bars and running on the traekways, and an endless conveyer formed of a plurality of connected plates of spring metal, said conveyer being connected at intervals to the bars.

15. The combination in a conveyer-frame including a pair of superposed and approximately parallel trackways, of drums mounted at the opposite ends of the conveyerframe, spaced cables running over the drums, transverse bars having grooves for the reception of the cables, U-shaped bolts or clips surrounding the cables and serving to draw portions of the latter within the grooves of the bars, wheels or rollers carried by the bars and running on the traekways, an endless conveyer surrounding the cables, and a flexible eonneeting means between the conveyers and the bars.

16. The combination in a conveyer, of a supporting-track or runway, a pair of struts,

the lower ends of the struts, and flanged wheels carried by the brackets and running on the trackways.

17. The combination, in a conveyer mechanism, of supporting-tracks or runways, a plurality of spaced struts, an endless conveyer supported by the struts, swiveled brackets at the lower ends of the struts, and flanged rollers or wheels carried by the brackets and adapted to said tracks.

18. The combination in a conveying mechanism, of an endless receiving-apron, comprising a plurality of chains, link belts forming the margins of the apron, transverse supporting-bars connecting the link belts and the chains, and sprocket-wheels around which the link belts pass.

19. In conveying mechanism, a frame, an endless conveyer supported thereby, a motor mechanism carried by the frame, means for transmitting movement from the motor to the conveyer, a receiving-apron adjacent to the receiving end of the conveyer, and means for connecting the receiving-apron and the motor.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. BUCHANAN.

Witnesses:

J. H. JoeHUM, J r., J. M. WALKER. 

